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Here we round up just how the emissions-based VRT and motor tax system will affect new cars.
BMW At the upper end of the market, we have the BMW 320 and the Audi A4. Both cars have 2-litre engines, and based on the old system of VRT would be charged at the same percentage rate. But the ecological difference between them is dramatic. The Audi A4 AVANT SE, which has an estimated sales price of €52,280, emits 186g/km. Though this may seem high, through the new system it actually drops 2% in VRT. On this car, under the new system, the new price would be €51,475, an €800 difference. The current motor tax for this vehicle would be set at €590 annually, while under the new system it would only rise to €600. In contrast, the BMW 320 greatly benefits from the new registration rates. With an estimated price of €47,800, currently this car is charged at a rate of 30% VRT. Owing to the engine’s low emission level at 128g/km, the new VRT rate for the 3 Series car is 16%. The cost of the car under this new system would be €42,652, a difference of €5,148. The BMW saves on road tax also, as it drops from €590 a year to €150. Renault Mid-range family cars can greatly differ also. Take the Renault Laguna III and the Toyota Avensis: two apparently similar cars. The 1.6ltr Toyota Avensis Aura comes in at €25,440 within the current system, but due to its high emissions rate at 172g/km, its price would increase. Jumping from 25% VRT to 28%, the cost of the car under the new system would be €610 more expensive at €26,050. Not that much of a difference, but motor tax would increase too, from €428 annually to €600. Toyota Compared with the 1.5ltr Renault Laguna III, coming in at €29,350, the Toyota is losing out. The Renault only emits 130g/km, dropping in VRT from 25% to 16%. Saving more than €2,000 in the process, the Laguna would have a new price of €27,236. Along with this, the motor tax would drop from €343 to €150 per year. Chevrolet Finally, smaller engines don’t always mean lower emissions. The Chevrolet Matiz has a higher emissions level than the Renault and the BMW, and with only a 1ltr engine that is surprising. Costing €11,595, the Matiz emits 139g/km but would decrease in VRT from 22.5% to 16%. The cost of a Matiz would fall to €10,979, while motor tax would fall from €165 to €150.
Citroen The smaller engine and better fuel consumption of the Citroen C1 gives it the lowest rating out of all these vehicles with 109g/km. With only a 1ltr engine you would expect this, and its VRT rating falls from 22.5% to 14%. This drops the cost of a C1 from €11,995 to €11,162. Its motor tax decreases too from €165 to €100. Fiat Even when considering imported cars, the new system benefits the cleaner consumer. Buying a 2004 1.2ltr Fiat Punto from the UK would leave you at an after VRT and VAT tax cost of £5,927 (€7,479). Considering this car only emits 136g/km, the new end price would be £5,612 (€7,082). Motor Tax would be greatly reduced too, from €275 per year, to €150. Rover Fuel guzzlers will see an increase, as with a 2005 1.8ltr Rover 75 bought from the UK. With the current VRT system, the end cost on this vehicle would be £9,073 (€11,451). As this car emits a whopping 319g/km, its emissions-based VRT price would leave it nearer the 10k mark at £9,871 (€12,458). The biggest hit though would come from Motor Tax, which would increase from €530 annually to an enormous €2,000. Importing heavy polluters such as the Rover would appear to cause more of a headache than a joy. Taking account of the CO2 emissions of that new car you are looking at could greatly reduce costs. It is definitely something to consider for both the short and long term.
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